Friday, December 28, 2007

The Big Buddha and monestary on Lantau Island... just pictures, pretty much (gotta catch a plane) I have tons more plus audio of the procession, lots of clangy-bangy and chant. At the end check out nice parting shot from waterfront at Kowloon.... The above was taken from hiking trail nearby

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

We'll go in reverse, I think... just arrived at the crib in Kowloon. A big crib. Just a day and a half left! Tomorrow's plan -- what?! I don't know! Maybe the Big Buddha, maybe "the peak," to get the big view of HK. Both would be spectacular. There is also the light show at the harbor tomorrow night. Kowloon is sensorily INSANE. The Man Hing Lung is on the 14th floor of a 20 or so story building, the Mirador Mansion -- what I referred to earlier. Balconies encircling each level looking out into the atrium, lots of little businesses. It's a closet...But I have my own bathroom and shower....!From outside window, onto street below, the madness will be bubbling up all night I bet:Sort of a 'wrap party' last night....... not too far from here. Stella rented a small room in a club with karaoke machine. Open bar (after 300 HKD each, something like 40.00 US) I have a movie to edit down later. This was also a costume 'theme' party... come in school uniform! I got away with coming as a 'student at the University.' Below is not taken by moi, moi is toward the back right, it's a nice group shot, a moment between sessions jumping up and down on the cushions around the walls getting steadily more mau. Also an opportunity for me to meet another performer, Jeremy the fire juggler, who is based in Tokyo and (to whom it matters reading this) knows Tak Kurtz, he is in a similar situation as Tak, married to a Japanese with a moonchkin now, and very happy, travelling around Asia performing. Jeremy is about center top row, in some kind of British navy garb. Cheeeez:

Was fun trading notes from our respective perspective, with Jeremy -- the fluidity of themes and constant cultural adopting/adapting/borrowing. Jeremy did something amazing, first pointing out he wasn't all that good at reading Asian charaters, but kind of translating into our linear, verbal world what was momentarily up in characters on the karaoke screen. Cut back to today -- Kit and I packed up the glasses at the mall. Say hi to Kit!Train station before going to Kowloon, thank you stranger take-a-picture. Awwwww......... Now back into the fog of the last couple days. But here is an unfoggy shot from the Ibis window. Finally a clear day (but there is still a lot of smog) A temple close to the mall, last day of the gig If you are being chased by eels, go this way: On the British stage.....................Below -- Lion's Head Rock, above the mall area. Very similar, it lately struck me, to the Sandia Mts behind Albuquerque, all these mountains. Different though in that just below the frame are the tops of dozens of forty story high rise apartments. There's really not a 'skyline' to Hong Kong, but in so many cities these days this also seems the case. Hong Kong is just skyscrapers everywhere there can be skyscrapers.... Bamboo scaffolding shot Chocolate Fatima with a friend One my favorite Chinglish signs so far

Monday, December 24, 2007

If you live in Hong Kong, you probably live in an apartment building, one of hundreds each around 40 -- 50 floors. You probably do not own a clothes dryer. Neat innovation btw, apartment properties are now lit and surveiled by little flying saucers that look like DVDs...BRILLIANT!!! Santa Liberty and his director in today's America theme mall, we began with Denmark, yesterday was Switzerland, tomorrow Merrie Old England. How to win world peace: mix and mutilate all cultural iconography and eliminate cultural seriousness -- advanced stuff!!The Ausgelassen Harmonica Quartet at work, got them on minidisc too.With Tim, the grafitti artist. Graffiti looks to be totally missing in Hong Kong.Combining yesterday and today's Dim Sum Porno....... everything pictured is Cantonese style except yesterday was 'old' version, where certain items are driven around on a trolley cart, you wave one over and pick what you want. Today the 'new' style, items are brought to you after you fill out a little form. Below, a cake made from a root veg, like carrot:Shrimp dumplings and custardFried OctopusBottom left, fried potato and veg, top left, pork grill, right, meatball

Shrimp and beef wrapsSticky pastryI've tried to get this as consistent as possible from several different people: "leave," and "mouth:"

With Jerry, another member of Stella's team:

One of the old double deck trams that run along King Street, close to where I'm staying, until Kowloon in a couple days....

This time from hotel window, using timer:

I have been intrigued with the now retired airport, Kai Tak, especially how the approach to land entailed a very last minute right turn, over and between a maze of buildings....... had been wondering where it was from the hotel window, then I realized, right in front of me!!More to come in the next days -- also have spent some time with Richard the contortionist, aka Rubber Ritchie, aka Father Twistmas, when I can scan it I'll get a great picture of twisted Santa up. Thanks everyone for your interest and encouragement to keep adding to this. All is going very well. X'mas Eve is, I am told, an auspicious day for weddings. Taken at yesterday's Dim Sum restaurant... congratulations Ling and Man!